Explanation of some concepts and ratios

PEOPLE

FI

Frequency Index: a unit of measurement for safety. The number of accidents of a particular category per 100 employees per year.

SHE

Safety, Health and the Environment.

United Nations Global Compact

A strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.

United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights

On 10 December 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this historic act, the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and ‘to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories.’

PLANET

Biofuel

A fuel which is derived from renewable organic resources, as distinct from one which is derived from non-renewable resources such as oil and natural gas.

Carbon footprint

The impact of a certain activity in terms of the emission of non-renewable CO₂ to the atmosphere.

CO₂

Carbon dioxide, a gas that naturally occurs in the atmosphere. It is part of the natural carbon cycle through photosynthesis and respiration. It is also generated as a by-product of combustion. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

COD is an indicator of the degree of pollution of wastewater by organic substances.

ECO+

ECO+ solutions are products and services that, when considered over their whole life cycle, offer clear ecological benefits (in other words, a clearly lower eco-footprint) compared to the mainstream solutions they compete with. These ecological benefits can be created at any stage of the product life cycle − from raw material through manufacturing and use to potential re-use and end-of-life disposal. ECO+ solutions, in short, create less environmental impact on human health, ecosystem quality, and resources. The qualification ECO+ is based upon internal expert opinions where various impact categories are evaluated, for a growing number of products supported by Life Cycle Assessments.

Greenhouse-gas emissions (GHGE) reduction over volume related revenue (VRR)

VRR is net sales adjusted for changes in selling prices, exchange rates and the impact of acquisitions and disposals. The GHGE definition is according to the Kyoto Protocol and includes carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane, nitrous oxide (N₂O), sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons. GHGE/VRR is one of the ratios in the Managing Board long term incentive remuneration and relates to a three-year period.

N

Nitrogen. A mostly inert gas constituting 78% of the earth’s atmosphere, nitrogen is present in all living organisms.

N₂O

Nitrous oxide. A gas that is formed during combustion. When emitted to the environment, it contributes to global warming.

NO_x

Nitrogen oxides. Gases that are released mainly during combustion and cause acidification.

Product Eco-Footprinting (PEF)

The analysis of the environmental impact of a product.

Renewable resources

A natural resource which is replenished by natural processes at a rate comparable to, or faster than, its rate of consumption by humans or other users. The term covers perpetual resources such as solar radiation, tides, winds and hydroelectricity as well as fuels derived from organic matter (bio-based fuels).

SO_x

Sulfur dioxide and other sulfur oxides. They are formed during the combustion of fossil fuels and cause acidification.

VOC

Volatile organic compounds. The term covers a wide range of chemical compounds, such as organic solvents, some of which can be harmful.

PROFIT

General

In calculating financial profitability ratios, use is made of the average of the opening and closing values of balance sheet items in the year under review.

The financial indicators per ordinary share are calculated on the basis of the average number of ordinary shares outstanding (average daily number). In calculating Royal DSM N.V. Shareholders’ equity per ordinary share, however, the number of shares outstanding at year-end is used.

In calculating the figures per ordinary share and the ‘net profit as a percentage of average Royal DSM N.V. Shareholders’ equity available to holders of ordinary shares’, the amounts available to the holders of cumulative preference shares are deducted from the profits and from Royal DSM N.V. Shareholders’ equity.

Capital employed

The total of the carrying amount of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, inventories, trade receivables and other receivables, less trade payables and other current liabilities.

Capital expenditure

This includes all investments in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment as well as the acquisition of subsidiaries and associates and related cash flows.

Cash flow

Cash flow is net profit plus depreciation and amortization.

Cash flow return on investment (CFROI)

Cash flow return on investment is the sustainable cash flow (recurring EBITDA minus related annual tax and minus 1% depreciation on weighted average historic asset base) divided by weighted average historic asset base plus average working capital.

Disposals

This includes the disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment as well as the disposal of participating interests and other securities.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)

EBITDA is the sum total of operating profit plus depreciation and amortization.

Earnings per ordinary share

Net profit attributable to equity holders of Royal DSM N.V. minus dividend on cumulative preference shares, divided by the average number of ordinary shares outstanding.

Operating working capital

The total of inventories and trade receivables, less trade payables.

Return on capital employed (ROCE)

Operating profit as a percentage of average capital employed.

Total shareholder return (TSR)

Total shareholder return is capital gain plus dividend paid.